Smucker’s profit tops estimates as Hostess acquisition sweetens its business

United States

The J.M. Smucker Co. SJM, -0.53% said Tuesday it had net income of $ 120.4 million, or $ 1.14 a share, for its fiscal third quarter through Jan. 31, down from $ 208.5 million, or $ 1.96 a share, in the year-earlier period. The parent of brands including Folgers coffee, Dunkin’, Hostess and Milk-Bone pet food said adjusted per-share earnings came to $ 2.48, above the $ 2.27 FactSet consensus. Sales rose 1% to $ 2.229 billion from $ 2.216 billion a year ago, just above the $ 2.220 billion FactSet consensus. The results reflect the divestiture of the company’s Canada condiment business on Jan. 2 of this year, the acquisition of Hostess Brands Inc. on Nov. 7, the sale fo the Sahale Snacks business on Nov. 1 and sales of certain pet food brands on April 28. “Our teams are prioritizing growth opportunities for our leading brands, integrating Hostess Brands, and increasing focus on productivity and synergy-related activities,” CEO Mark Smucker said in a statement. The company tweaked its fiscal 2024 guidance, lowering its same-store sales guidance and raising the low end of its adjusted EPS guidance. It now expects same-store sales to rise 8.75%, compared with prior guidance of 8.5% to 9.0%. It expects adjusted EPS of $ 9.45 to $ 9.65, compared with prior guidance of $ 9.25 to $ 9.65. The stock was down 0.4% premarket and has fallen 15.4% in the last 12 months, while the S&P 500 SPX, -0.38% has gained 27%.